[Brian_L]

Hi all.

I'm new here, and not the biggest car guy (I'm a computer geek ), but I have been having a strange problem. I'll describe, but you'll have to forgive if some terms sound a little "primal".

Anyway, I own a 1994 Regal 3.8, and not too long ago, the ABS light kept coming on. The car also started having troubles starting. It often took 10+ tries to get it going. Got the codes checked by a great mechanic, and he told me the reason the ABS light was coming on was low voltage. So after checking some more, he told me the battery was just about dead, and the alternator almost completely seized. So I got both replaced and I thought that was the end of my troubles.

But the next day, as I was driving, the voltage gage just dropped in the red, stayed there for a few seconds, and came back up around 14-15. It did it again a few minutes later. When I started the car again a few minutes later, the voltage gage never went up, stayed in the low red for about 3-4 seconds, then I heard a "cranking" noise (here come the primal terms) and then the gage went up to normal.

When I stop at lights, the gage goes down to about 9-10, and comes right back up when I get going again. I am still having troubles to start the car (often takes 3-4 tries), went to the mechanic again, but of course, the car started just fine every time he tried. He checked the battery, and it's fine, and it charges normally.

A few times now when I try to start the car, the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on when the voltage gage doesn't go up right away. After the cranking noise, the gage goes up, but the light stays on. I restart the car, and everything is just fine. I'll go get the codes read on Monday, but I'd like to know if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks.